Sabarimala Thiruvabharanam procession 2012 begins on 13th January

The 'Thiruvabharanam' procession to Sabarimala will begin on Friday. The procession carrying sacred ornaments is the part of the tradition after it were offered to Lord Ayyappa by the then Pandalam King, who had adopted him as son.
The procession will carry three holy caskets namely Thriuvabharana Petti, the Velli Petti and the Kodi Petti which contain the sacred ornaments. The ornaments will be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa on the Makaravilakku day. The procession begins from Valiya Koyikal Dharma Sastha Temple at Pandalam Srampickal Palace.

The proccession group contains as many as 16 members reportedly. They will start the journey after witnessing a Brahminy Kite in the sky above the temple. The procession will be passing through places lile Pandalam, Kulanada, Ullannoor, Kuriyanappally, Aranmula, Punnamthottam and Vazhakunnam. They will take rest at Ayroor Puthiyakavu Devi temple in night. The caskets will be opened for the sight of devotees during its journey with strong security.

It will pass through Idappavoor, adasserikara, and Madamon the next day. They will take rest at Perunadu Sree Dharma Sastha temple at noon. Then the procession would pass through Koonamkara, Chemmannu, Plappally, Nilakkal, Attathode and Kurungayam. Then the team will take part in the famous 'Pampasadya'. After it procession will move along Valiyanavattom Neelimala, Sabaripeedom and will finally reach Saramkuthi Aal.

The Travancore Devaswom authorities will give the procession a traditional reception there and will take it to the Sopanam. At Sopanam, the Melshanthi and the Thandhri would receive the Thiruvabharanam. Unlike in the former years, this time the 'Makaravilaku' is on the next day of Thiruvabharanam arrival. The time of Makarasankramam and Makaravilakku will be 12.59 am and 6.30 pm respectively on 15th January.

The 'Deeparadhana' (offering with lights) of idol of Lord Ayyappa with adorned Thiruvabharanam will happen at the same time. After the darshan for devotees, the temple will be closed marking the end of pilgrimage of this season.
Later, the temple will be opened on January 21 only for the visit of the Pandalam King.

After it, the Thiruvabahranam procession will return to the Pandalam palace on same day. During the return, they will spend a night at Aranmula temple. The Thiruvabharanam will get back to Pandalam on January 24 marking the complete cycle of Sabarimala pilgrimage.